Desert Daze Seventh Annual Festival

When it comes to epic music festivals what are some names that come to mind? Woodstock, Coachella, Governor’s Ball, Austin City Limits are just some to name a few.

However, since 2011 to the present-day Desert Daze has also bumped itself up in the roster of legendary three-day music festivals which was founded by Phil Pirrone (of the band JJUUJJUU). Formally Desert Daze was Moon Block Party’s “love-child” which was “the world’s longest consecutive day music festival.”

With just two stages and over 120 musical acts back in 2011. It has now been condensed to a three-day event with art installations and a change of venue location.

Last year’s Desert Daze festival took place at Joshua Tree National Park in Pioneertown, CA. Over the weekend of October 12-14 fellow campers and music-lovers alike have been coming in from different parts of the states and even foreign countries. With five stages to be seen, it isn’t any surprise with big headliner names like Tame Impala, King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard, and My Bloody Valentine that people were seen flocking to the recreational park located at Moreno Beach in Lake Perris, CA. Guests who camped on Moreno Beach park were permitted since Thursday, Oct. 11.

The camping area was vast and huge and so long as you had a tent and a good sleeping bag, one could also find public amenities which included on-site shower areas. Moreno Beach’s campground officials were also allowing the “non-festival” public to enter the park for recreational use.

The weather was on point

finding yourself bundled up comfortably while at the same time not having to worry about temperature increases. It was chilly in the shade and warm in the sun which is the ultimate fall season weather.

Day one kicked off pretty early.

Fellow campers and festival-goers were gathered as early as 10:30 a.m. to pick up wristbands, parking and camp pass, and even last-minute purchasing of available days.

As the night fell and the temperature dropped festival. Attendees were seen happy to find themselves waiting in lines on the entryway to the front gates.

Due to weather conditions the executive decision was made by Desert Daze staff members to cut the festival short (and Tame Impala’s set) 23 minutes into their set. “Due to safety concerns regarding dangerous weather, we are asking all guests to immediately exit the Desert Daze grounds and return to their cars and seek shelter,” was posted on Desert Daze’s official Instagram page (@desertdaze_official). It was scheduled to end at 2 a.m.

Day two ended at 6 a.m. Saturday night’s weather was definitely safe and tolerable. Day two was the calm after the storm as many campers expressed their feelings of concern after the storm. One individual named David Weiss said, “It was a fantastic day it was a beautiful venue and I saw bands that I like,” Weiss continues by saying, “I was having the best time until the lightning started.”

Another Sarah Harper commented, “We came here for Tame Impala and we were a little disappointed but everything that he played was amazing. We love you, Kevin!”

Saturday’s attendance at least doubled up in size. Since staff made the call to permit and allow Friday’s attendees access to day two of Desert Daze. With such acts like Stonefield, JJUUJJUU, Chelsea Wolfe, Slowdive, Beak>, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, and Shannon & the Clams, along with many more acts were available for viewing enjoyment. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard took rocked the Moon stage (mainstage). And helped make up for Tame Impala’s cut set.

It is always bittersweet when the final day of any music festival is upon us.

As day three had a slower pace since Desert Daze was coming to an end. Some major acts for the final day were The Mad Walls, Sextile, Preoccupations, Earth, Death Grips, Escape-ism, Föllakzoid, My Bloody Valentine, King Khan & The Shrines, and Ty Segall & White Fence. After five long years, My Bloody Valentine took the stage after a performing hiatus. They did not disappoint and many MBV fans rushed the Moon Stage to watch their hour and a half set.

Desert Daze is officially one for the books. It should be highly recommended to attend once and experience a music festival. If not, then for the enjoyment of shoegazing, rock & roll, alternative, and indie rock- musical variety that DD had stacked on their lineup this year.